“The White Lotus” has taken over Cannes, as production recommences for the juggernaut HBO series.
New details on the Mike White series have emerged as shooting begins in the new location for season 4.
“White Lotus” Filming Brings Drama To Cannes
Variety revealed the plot of season 4 will focus on two competing film teams during the Cannes Film Festival. While one team will stay at an expensive, palatial hotel on the Croisette, the opposing team will reside in a tranquil hilltop property.
The series returns with a whopping $120 million budget, with shooting set to take place in multiple locations. Over the seven months of filming across Paris and the French Riviera, the “White Lotus” hotel locations are set to be shot at the Château de la Messardière, the Hôtel Martinez, and Hôtel Lutetia.
As with previous seasons, season 4 will examine the friction that arises from cultural clashes.
At the Canneseries festival, producer David Bernad revealed the season will focus on “the ups and downs of the festival and the pain of being here and the love and excitement of being here.”
“White Lotus” Season 4 Will Feature The “Beating Heart” Of Cannes
Bernad called Cannes the “beating heart” of season 4.
“When we located the show at the Cannes Film Festival specifically, this idea of fame popped up,” he said.
“Who has the worldâs attention, who are the people that can grab the worldâs attention, who are the plus-one in a relationship, whoâs the person that has that power – and how that shapes a dynamic.”
At the Canneseries Festival, Bernard shared an experience with French customer service had inspired the direction for the new season.
“We went to dinner, and we had a really specific experience with a waiter and a maître dâ, and it was the stereotype,” he said.
“It was a very funny moment. And I think that it suddenly unlocked what the show is and the dynamics of the show.”
“We literally canceled all the other places we were going,” he continued. “We were like, OK, weâre shooting here.”
New Casting Details Revealed After Surprise Exit By Leading Lady
Although she was cast as one of the leads of the new series, Helena Bonham Carter left the project shortly after filming began.
Deadline reported the star exited “White Lotus” because of values that “did not align on set.”
“With filming just underway on Season 4 of ‘The White Lotus,’ it had become apparent that the character which Mike White created for Helena Bonham Carter did not align once on set,” a HBO spokesperson said in a statement.
“The role has subsequently been rethought, is being rewritten and will be recast in the coming weeks. HBO, the producers and Mike White are saddened that they wonât get to work with her, but remain ardent fans and very much hope to work with the legendary actress on another project soon.”
Laura Dern will take over the role.
Variety revealed that French actor Vincent Cassel (“Black Swan,” “La Haine”) would be appearing in the role of hotel manager.
Nadia Tereszkiewicz and Laura Smet round out the other French actors attached to the series.
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